Remarks at 6 pm, with networking reception to follow.

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Jake VanderZanden, OSU engineering alum and president of highly successful start-up OTTO DesignWorks, will share his practical entrepreneurial insights through the case study of his wildly successful product OTTOLOCK, an innovative, versatile outdoor lock that provides portable and compact security for outdoor enthusiasts. Mr. VanderZanden will delve into new product development, corporate entrepreneurism, marketing, crowdfunding, design for manufacturing, and much more.

Jake VanderZanden currently serves as president for OTTO DesignWorks, a start-up he founded which has launched revolutionary new products, including the OTTOLOCK. Previously, he was Vice President of Product Development at DWFritz Automation, spent 25 years as an executive at Blount International Inc., serving as President of ICS—a construction products company, and later as Senior Vice President for New Product and Business Development at Blount International. VanderZanden is a published author and accomplished public speaker. 

Mr. VanderZanden’s strengths are in Strategy, Marketing, New Product Commercialization, and Developing Organizations.  He is a creative, practical, action-oriented, and inspirational leader who subscribes to a philosophy built on users and talent first.  He holds numerous patents and is an avid cycling enthusiast, competing as an elite level Masters road cyclist in the Pacific Northwest.

Mr. VanderZanden holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oregon State University and is a graduate of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Executive Program.

RSVP HERE

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The Launch-U Speaker Series is co-presented by InnovationX in the College of Business and by the College of Engineering.